“Only you can decide if you are able to do this”, said the zipline worker. “We have a van. We can take you back to the waiting area if you aren’t able to do this today.”

I’m afraid of heights. Very afraid of heights.  My whole body was shaking as we hiked the nature path and then climbed the stairs up to the first platform. I imagined myself falling to my death. I also imagined myself not being able to step off and having to walk back down to the van.

I was the last person to start the canopy zipline course. I was the first in line to start the zipline course when we reached the platform but I  kindly let others go ahead of me. I watched all 7 of my fellow adventurers be hooked up to the safety gear and step off the platform. They glided to the second platform alive. I was still hesitant. I’m scared of heights and it is a long way down.

“Once you start the course, you have to finish it”, said the worker. “Do you want to do this today?”

“Not really”, I said.  “I’m scared of heights. But it’s something I need to do even if I have to do it scared. I may never have this chance to go on a zipline in Costa Rica again.”

The zipline worker hooked me up to the cords and I stepped off the platform screaming with my eyes closed tight. The last thing I heard was the worker saying, “Pura Vida, Amee. Pura Vida.”

I finished the zipline course. I did all 11 ziplines. I was scared every time I stepped off each and every one of those 11 platforms.  I kept going.  I even opened my eyes a few times and saw the trees during the ride.

The Accountant and I have heard the saying “Pura Vida”a lot on our trip to Costa Rica.  It means “simple life” or “pure life” in Spanish. Today it means I ziplined scared but I did it anyway.

I was so proud of myself at the end of the course that I gave a loud victory shout.

¡Pura Vida!